Reinforced vehicle structure

ABSTRACT

A reinforced vehicle structure includes a first vehicle wall, a second vehicle wall, an accessory attachment member and a reinforcement member. The first vehicle wall has a first outer wall surface facing an outboard direction and a first inner wall surface facing an inboard direction. The second vehicle wall extends transverse to the first vehicle wall, and has a second outer wall surface facing a first direction and a second inner wall surface facing an opposite direction. The accessory attachment member is mounted to the first inner wall surface. The reinforcement member has a first end mounted to the accessory attachment member and a second end mounted to the second inner wall surface with the reinforcement member spanning the first and second vehicle walls such that the reinforcement member does not extend parallel to either of the first and second vehicle walls.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a reinforced vehiclestructure. More particularly, the present invention relates to areinforced vehicle structure for securing a vehicle accessory, such as ashelving arrangement, in a cargo area of a vehicle.

2. Background Information

Reinforcement components are often used in vehicles to increase thedurability or rigidity of the vehicle body structure. For example, areinforcement component may include an additional layer of material or athickened component in an area where forces appear to be particularlyconcentrated, or in an area of particular importance where enhancedstress resistance is desired. Vehicle bodies are also sometimesmanufactured to include prefabricated attachment points. Such attachmentpoints may be utilized, for example, as tie-down locations in order tomore reliably and efficiently secure cargo.

Prefabricated attachment points may also be included in a vehicle designto give customers the ability to add permanent custom equipment orcomponents, which may be sold as dealer-installed accessories or addedby aftermarket up-fitters. For example, such an attachment point maycomprise a nut weld, which can be an accessible threaded apertureincluding a nut that is welded to the opposite-facing side of a bodypanel. However, the addition of equipment and components to vehiclesafter the vehicles leave the factory can impose increased stresses andfatigue on the vehicle body structures, which may not have beenaccounted for in the initial design of the vehicles. This is especiallyrelevant at attachment points in the vehicle body structure, whereforces imposed by equipment and components are often concentrated.

SUMMARY

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the presentinvention is directed to various features of a reinforced vehiclestructure including a first vehicle wall, a second vehicle wall, andaccessory attachment member and a reinforcement member. The firstvehicle wall has a first outer wall surface facing an outboard directionof a vehicle including the reinforced vehicle structure and a firstinner wall surface facing an inboard direction of the vehicle. Thesecond vehicle wall extends transverse to the first vehicle wall, andhas a second outer wall surface facing first direction and a secondinner wall surface facing an opposite direction. The accessoryattachment member is mounted to the first inner wall surface. Thereinforcement member has a first end mounted to the accessory attachmentmember and a second end mounted to the second inner wall surface withthe reinforcement member spanning the first and second vehicle wallssuch that the reinforcement member does not extend parallel to either ofthe first and second vehicle walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of a vehicle that has areinforced vehicle structure in accordance with an illustratedembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the vehicle taken along lines2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an interior perspective view of the rear driver side of thevehicle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an interior perspective view of the rear passenger side of thevehicle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view as shown in FIG. 2 particularly illustratingaccessory attachment members mounted in the vehicle;

FIG. 6 is a detailed interior perspective view of the wheel area locatedon the rear driver side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a detailed underbody perspective view of the wheel arealocated on the rear driver side of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 6looking upward from below the floor of the vehicle;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a reinforcement member mounted at therear driver side of the vehicle as shown in FIGS. 6-8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a detailed interior perspective view of the rear cornerlocated on the rear driver side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1without accessory attachment members installed;

FIG. 12 is a detailed interior perspective view of the rear cornerlocated on the rear driver side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1with certain accessory attachment members installed;

FIG. 13 is a detailed perspective view of an accessory attachment memberthat mounts to the rear corner located on the rear driver side of thevehicle as shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a detailed interior perspective view of the rear cornerlocated on the rear driver side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 12 asviewed looking inboard toward the vehicle interior from behind theinterior wall of the vehicle;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 15-15 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a detailed perspective view of a reinforcement member mountedat the rear driver side of the vehicle as shown in FIGS. 11, 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a detailed interior perspective view of the rear cornerlocated on the rear driver side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1with accessory attachment members and shelving installed;

FIG. 18 is a detailed perspective view of an accessory attachment memberthat mounts to the interior rear corner located on the rear driver sideof the vehicle as shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 19-19 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a detailed interior perspective view of the wheel arealocated on the rear passenger side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a detailed underbody perspective view of the wheel arealocated on the rear passenger side of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 20looking upward from below the floor of the vehicle;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 22-22 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a reinforcement member mounted at therear passenger side of the vehicle as shown in FIGS. 20-22;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 24-24 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 25 is a detailed interior perspective view of the rear cornerlocated on the rear passenger side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1without accessory attachment members installed;

FIG. 26 is a detailed interior perspective view of the rear cornerlocated on the rear passenger side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1with certain accessory attachment members installed;

FIG. 27 is a detailed interior perspective view of the rear cornerlocated on the rear passenger side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 26as viewed looking inboard toward the vehicle interior from behind theinterior wall of the vehicle;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 28-28 in FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a detailed perspective view of a reinforcement member mountedat the rear passenger side of the vehicle as shown in FIGS. 25, 27 and28;

FIG. 30 is a detailed interior perspective view of the rear cornerlocated on the rear passenger side of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1with accessory attachment members installed;

FIG. 31 is a detailed perspective view of an accessory attachment memberthat mounts to the interior rear corner located on the rear passengerside of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 32-32 in FIG. 30;and

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 33-33 in FIG. 30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-8, a vehicle 10 includes a reinforcedvehicle structure 12. The reinforced vehicle structure 12 in thisexample is configured in the cargo compartment 14 at the rear interiordriver side of the vehicle 10 and at the rear interior passenger side ofthe vehicle 10. However, the reinforced vehicle structure 12 can bepresent at either the rear interior driver side or the rear interiorpassenger side, or at any other suitable location within the interior ofthe vehicle 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5-8, a portion of the reinforced vehiclestructure 12 located at the rear interior driver side of the vehicle 10includes a vehicle floor 16 having an underbody floor surface 18 facingan underbody of the vehicle 10 and an interior floor surface 20 facingan interior of the vehicle 10. The vehicle floor 16 is made of a metaltypically used in automotive manufacture or any other suitable material.A reinforcement member 22 is mounted to the underbody floor surface 18by welding, riveting, screws, or any other suitable fasteners. Thereinforcement member 22 is also made of a metal that can be the same asthe metal of vehicle floor 16, or any other suitable metal or material.

In this example, the reinforcement member 22 is mounted proximate to awheel well opening 24 in the vehicle floor 16. As shown, for example, inFIGS. 5-9, the vehicle floor 16 has a first shaped edge 26 having afirst shape defining the wheel well opening 24. Similarly, thereinforcement member 22 has a second shaped edge 28 having a secondshape, with a portion of the second shape substantially corresponding tothe first shape. Moreover, a portion of the underbody floor surface 18of the vehicle floor 16 has a first shape and the reinforcement member22 has a second shape substantially corresponding to the first shape toenable the reinforcement member 22 to mate with the portion of theunderbody floor surface 18 when the reinforcement member 22 is mountedto the underbody floor surface 18.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in particular, the vehicle floor 16includes a lateral floor portion 30 that includes the interior andunderbody floor surfaces 20 and 18, and a floor flange 32 extendingdownward from the lateral floor portion 30. The reinforcement memberincludes a lateral reinforcement portion 34 and a reinforcement flange36 extending downward from the lateral reinforcement portion 34.Accordingly, the lateral reinforcement portion 34 and reinforcementflange 36 are positioned proximate to the lateral floor portion 30 andfloor flange 32, respectively, when the reinforcement member 22 ismounted to the underbody floor surface 18 of the vehicle floor 16.However, the reinforcement member 22 can be mounted at any othersuitable location along the vehicle floor 16.

An accessory attachment member 38 is mounted to the interior floorsurface 20. That is, as discussed above, the vehicle 10 includes a cargocompartment 14. The) accessory attachment member 38 is mounted insidethe cargo compartment 14 to the interior floor surface 20 of the vehiclefloor 16. The accessory attachment member 38 is made of a metal, such asthat of vehicle floor 16 or reinforcement member 22, or any othersuitable metal or material. In this example, the accessory attachmentmember 38 has a width W1 extending in a lateral direction of the vehicle10, and the reinforcement member 22 has a width W2 extending in thelateral direction that is greater than the first width W1 as shown, forexample, in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the reinforcement member 22 has alength L1 extending in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle 10, and theaccessory attachment member 38 has a length L2 extending in thelengthwise direction that is greater than the length L1. In thisexample, the vehicle floor 16 further includes at least one supportmember 40 having a length extending in a lateral direction of thevehicle 10, and at least one support member 41 having a length extendingin a lengthwise direction of the vehicle 10. In this example, theaccessory attachment member 38 extends along the interior floor surface20 over the support member 40 and is at least partially supported by thesupport member 40 or members 40. Also, the accessory attachment member38 has a C-shaped cross-section in this example forming a recess channel43, but can have any desired cross-section.

In this example, a plurality of mounting structures 42 are spaced alongthe reinforcement member 22 and extend through the vehicle floor 16 tocouple the accessory attachment member 38 to the reinforcement member22. At least one of the mounting structures 42 includes a welded member44 that is attached by a weld to a surface 46 of the reinforcementmember 22 facing away from the vehicle floor 16, and aligned with afastening aperture 48 formed in the reinforcement member 22 throughwhich a portion 50 of the at least one of the mounting structures 40passes. In this example, the portion 50 can include a screw thatthreadedly engages with the welded member 44. Alternatively, the portion50 can include rivets or any other suitable fasteners. Furthermore, aspacer 51 can be present between the bottom surface 53 of the accessoryattachment member 38 and interior floor surface 20 as indicated toposition the accessory attachment member 38 at the appropriate heightabove the interior floor surface 20. The portion 50 of the mountingstructure 42 passes through an opening 54 in the spacer 51. The spacer51 can be arranged as individual spacers present at each of the mountingstructure locations, or a continuous spacer that extends along all or aportion of the accessory attachment member 38 and has openings throughwhich the respective portions 50 of the mounting structure 42 can pass.

Since the accessory attachment member 38 has a C-shaped cross section inthis example, the accessory attachment member 38 has a horizontallyextending portion 52 that extends in a horizontal direction of thevehicle 10, and at least one vertical portion 55 that extends transverseto the horizontally extending portion 52. The plurality of mountingstructures 42 couple the horizontally extending portion 52 of theaccessory attachment member 38 to the reinforcement member 22. Thevertical portions 55 extend in a vertical direction of the vehicle 10when the accessory attachment member 22 is mounted to the interior floorsurface 20. The accessory attachment member 38 further has secondhorizontally extending portions 56 that extend in a horizontal directionof the vehicle 10 from the vertical portions 55, and the verticalportions 55 space the second horizontally extending portions 56 apartfrom the horizontally extending portion 52 as shown.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10, for example, the accessoryattachment member 38 is further configured to couple to a shelvingmember 60 to secure the shelving member 60 inside the vehicle 10. Theshelving member 60 can be made of metal or any other suitable material.As shown in FIG. 10, a connecting member 62 includes a coupling member64 that rests on the horizontally extending portion 52 of the accessoryattachment member 38, is slidably received in the recess channel 43formed by the C-shaped cross section of the accessory attachment member38, and is retained by the second horizontally extending portions 56. Anextension portion 66 of the coupling member 64 passes through an opening68 in the shelving member 60. A washer 70, and nut 72 that is threadedlysecured to the extension portion 66, secures the shelving member 60 tothe accessory attachment member 38 in this example. However, anysuitable type of connector, such as a screw, snap fit connection, and soon can be used to secure the shelving member 60 to the accessoryattachment member 38.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 19, the portion ofthe reinforced vehicle structure 12 at the rear driver side of thevehicle 10 includes a vehicle wall 80 having an outer wall surface 82facing an outboard direction of the vehicle 10 and an inner wall surface84 facing an inboard direction of the vehicle 10. The vehicle wall 80 ismade of a metal typically used in automotive manufacture or any othersuitable material. A reinforcement member 86 is mounted to the outerwall surface 82 by welding, riveting, screws, or any other suitablefasteners. The reinforcement member 86 is also made of a metal that canbe the same as the metal of vehicle wall 80, or any other suitable metalor material.

A portion of the outer wall surface 82 of the vehicle wall 80 has afirst shape and the reinforcement member 86 has a second shapesubstantially corresponding to the first shape to enable thereinforcement member 86 to mate with the portion of the outer wallsurface 82 when the reinforcement member 86 is mounted to the outer wallsurface 82. In this example, the vehicle wall 80 includes a wall uprightportion 88 that includes the inner and outer wall surfaces 84 and 82,respectively, and a wall lateral portion 90 extending outboard from theupright portion 88. Furthermore, the reinforcement member 86 includes areinforcement upright portion 92 and a reinforcement lateral portion 94extending outboard from the reinforcement upright portion 92. Thereinforcement upright portion 92 and reinforcement lateral portion 94are positioned proximate to the wall upright portion 88 and wall lateralportion 90, respectively, when the reinforcement member 86 is mounted tothe outer wall surface 82 of the vehicle wall 80. Also, thereinforcement member 86 can be mounted proximate to a roof rail 96 ofthe vehicle 10 when the reinforcement member 86 is mounted to the outerwall surface 82.

An accessory attachment member 100 is mounted inside the cargocompartment 14 to the inner wall surface 84 at an upper portion of thevehicle wall 80 in this example. The accessory attachment member 100 ismade of a metal, such as that of vehicle wall 80 or reinforcement member86, or any other suitable metal or material. In this example, theaccessory attachment member 100 has a height H1 extending in a verticaldirection of the vehicle 10, and the reinforcement member 86 has aheight H2 extending in the vertical direction that is greater than theheight H1.

Furthermore, the accessory attachment member 100 in this example has aC-shaped cross-section forming a recess channel 101 therein. That is,the accessory attachment member 100 has a vertically extending portion102 that extends in a generally vertical direction of the vehicle 10,and at least one horizontal portion 104 that extends transverse to thevertically extending portion 102. Specifically, the horizontal portions104 extend in a generally inboard direction of the vehicle 10 when theaccessory attachment member 100 is mounted to the inner wall surface 84.The accessory attachment member 100 further has second verticallyextending portions 106 that extend in a generally vertical direction ofthe vehicle 10 from the horizontal portions 104. Accordingly, thehorizontal portions 104 space the second vertically extending portions106 apart from the vertically extending portion 102.

A plurality of mounting structures 110 are spaced along thereinforcement member 86 and extend through the vehicle wall 80 to couplethe accessory attachment member 100 to the reinforcement member 86. Atleast one of the mounting structures 110 includes a welded member 112that is attached by a weld to a surface 114 of the reinforcement member86 facing away from the vehicle wall 80. The welded member 112 isaligned with a fastening aperture 116 formed in the reinforcement member86 through which a portion 118 of the mounting structure 110 passes. Inthis example, the portion 118 of the mounting structure 110 can includea bolt that is threadedly secured to the welded member 112 to secure theaccessory attachment member 100 to the reinforcement member 86. However,the portion 118 of the mounting structure 110 can include a rivet, screwor any other suitable type of fastener. In this example, the pluralityof mounting structures 110 couple the vertically extending portion 102of the accessory attachment member 100 to the reinforcement member 86.

Furthermore, a spacer 117 can be present between the accessoryattachment member 100 and inner wall surface 84 as indicated to offsetthe accessory attachment member 100 a desired distance from the innerwall surface 84. The portion 118 of the mounting structure 110 passesthrough an opening 119 in the spacer 117. The spacer 117 can be arrangedas individual spacers present at each of the mounting structurelocations, or a continuous spacer that extends along all or a portion ofthe accessory attachment member 100 and has openings through which therespective portions 118 of the mounting structure 110 can pass.

As further illustrated, a trim member 120, such as an interior trimpanel of a type that is typically present in vehicles, is disposedproximate to the inner wall surface 84. In this example, the accessoryattachment member 100 is mounted to the inner wall surface 84 such thatthe trim member 120 that is disposed proximate to the inner wall surface84 is positioned between the accessory attachment member 100 and thevehicle wall 80. Furthermore, the reinforcement member 86 includes atleast one fastening aperture 122 that receives a portion of a mountingmember 124 of the trim member 120 that passes through an opening 126 inthe vehicle wall 80. However, the trim member 120 can be securedproximate to the vehicle wall 80 in any suitable manner.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10, for example, the accessoryattachment member 100 is further configured to couple to the shelvingmember 60 to further secure the shelving member 60 inside the vehicle10. A connecting member (not shown) similar to connecting member 62 asdiscussed above can be slidably received in the recess channel 101formed by the C-shaped cross section of the accessory attachment member100, and is coupled to the shelving member 60 in a manner similar toconnecting member 62 to secure the shelving member 60 to the accessoryattachment member 100 in this example. However, any suitable type ofconnector, such as a screw, snap fit connection, and so on can be usedto secure the shelving member 60 to the accessory attachment member 100.

As further shown, for example, in FIGS. 2, 3, 11, 12 and 17-19, thereinforced vehicle structure 12 can further include a second vehiclewall 130 extending transverse to the vehicle wall 80, which can bereferred to as a first vehicle wall 80. The second vehicle wall 130includes a second outer wall surface 132 facing an exterior of thevehicle 10 and a second inner wall surface 134 facing an interior of thevehicle 10. The reinforced vehicle structure 12 also includes areinforcement member 136 having a first end 138 mounted to the accessoryattachment member 100 and a second end 140 mounted to the second innerwall surface 134. The mounted reinforcement member 136 therefore extendsin a direction that is not parallel to either of the first and secondvehicle walls 80 and 130.

Furthermore, in this example, a mounting member 142 is mounted to thesecond inner wall surface 134. For instance, the mounting member 142includes a plurality of openings 144 that align with openings 146 in thesecond vehicle wall 130. A reinforcement member 148, such as a weldedmember, can be attached to the second outer surface 132 by welding or inany other suitable manner. The reinforcement member 148 can include anopening 150 therein that is aligned with an opening 146 in the secondvehicle wall 130. Accordingly, a mounting structure 152, such as a bolt,can pass through respective openings 144 and 146 and threadedly engagewith the opening 150 in the reinforcement member 148 to secure themounting member 142 to the second vehicle wall 130. In this example, aplurality of mounting structures 152 are spaced along the mountingmember 142 and extend through the corresponding openings 144 in themounting member 142, through the corresponding openings 146 in secondvehicle wall 130, and into the corresponding openings 150 in thereinforcement members 148, to couple the mounting member 142 to thesecond vehicle wall 130.

The mounting member 142 in this example further includes a raisedportion 154 that extends away from the second inner wall surface 134.The plurality of mounting structures 152 are spaced along portions ofthe mounting member 142 other than the raised portion 154, and extendthrough the second vehicle wall 130 to couple the mounting member 142 tothe second vehicle wall 130.

A vehicle accessory 156 having a first accessory surface 158 and asecond accessory surface 160 on a side opposite to the first accessorysurface 158 is positioned between the mounting member 142 and thereinforcement member 136. The vehicle accessory 156 can be, for example,a side panel of shelving member 60, or a different vehicle accessorycomponent. In this example, the first accessory surface 158 contacts themounting member 142 and, in particular, the raised portion 154 of themounting member 142. The second accessory surface 160 contacts thereinforcement member 136.

As further shown in this example, the second end 140 of thereinforcement member 136 is connected to the mounting member 142 by acoupling structure 162 which, in this example, includes a bolt 164 andnut 166. However, the coupling structure 162 can include any suitabletype of coupling arrangement. The coupling structure 162 is positionedbetween a plurality of the mounting structures 152 and extends throughan opening 168 in the second end 140 of the reinforcement member 136, anopening 170 in the vehicle accessory 156, and an opening 172 in theraised portion 154 of the mounting member 142, to couple the second end140 of the reinforcement member 136 to the mounting member 142.Accordingly, the second end 140 of the reinforcement member 136 isconnected to the raised portion 154 of the mounting member 142. Thus,the mounting member 142 mounts the second end 140 of the reinforcementmember 136 to the second inner wall surface 134.

With regard to the first end 138 of the reinforcement member 136, asillustrated, a coupling member 180 couples the first end 138 of thereinforcement member 136 to the accessory attachment member 100. Asdiscussed above, the accessory attachment member 100 has a C-shapedcross-section defining a recess 101, and the coupling member 180 has afirst coupling end 182 that passes through an opening 184 in the firstend 138 of the reinforcement member 136 and a second coupling end 186that couples to the accessory attachment member 100. That is, the firstcoupling end 182 can threadedly engage with a nut 188 to secure thecoupling member 180 to the first end 138 of the reinforcement member136. The second coupling end 186 is received in the recess 101 of theaccessory attachment member 100 to couple the first end 138 of thereinforcement member 136 to the accessory attachment member 100.

As further shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 20-22, a portion of the reinforcedvehicle structure 12 located at the rear interior passenger side of thevehicle 10 includes features similar to those discussed above withregard to the rear interior driver side of the vehicle 10. For example,the portion of the reinforced vehicle structure 12 located at the rearinterior passenger side of the vehicle 10 includes the vehicle floor 16having the underbody floor surface 18 facing an underbody of the vehicle10 and the interior floor surface 20 facing an interior of the vehicle10. A reinforcement member 200 is mounted to the underbody floor surface18 by welding, riveting, screws, or any other suitable fasteners. Thereinforcement member 200 is also made of a metal that can be the same asthe metal of vehicle floor 16, or any other suitable metal or material.

In this example, the reinforcement member 200 is mounted proximate to awheel well opening 202 in the vehicle floor 16. As shown, for example,in FIGS. 5 and 20-22, the vehicle floor 16 has a first shaped edge 204having a first shape defining the wheel well opening 202. Similarly, thereinforcement member 200 has a second shaped edge 206 having a secondshape, with a portion of the second shape substantially corresponding tothe first shape. Moreover, a portion of the underbody floor surface 18of the vehicle floor 16 has a first shape and the reinforcement member22 has a second shape substantially corresponding to the first shape toenable the reinforcement member 200 to mate with the portion of theunderbody floor surface 18 when the reinforcement member 200 is mountedto the underbody floor surface 18.

That is, as shown in FIG. 22, in particular, the vehicle floor 16includes a lateral floor portion 208 that includes the interior andunderbody floor surfaces 20 and 18, and a floor flange 210 extendingdownward from the lateral floor portion 30. The reinforcement memberincludes a lateral reinforcement portion 212 and a reinforcement flange214 extending downward from the lateral reinforcement portion 212.Accordingly, the lateral reinforcement portion 212 and reinforcementflange 214 are positioned proximate to the lateral floor portion 208 andfloor flange 210, respectively, when the reinforcement member 200 ismounted to the underbody floor surface 18 of the vehicle floor 16.However, the reinforcement member 200 can be mounted at any othersuitable location along the vehicle floor 16.

An accessory attachment member 220 is mounted to the interior floorsurface 20 inside the cargo compartment 14 of the vehicle 10. Theaccessory attachment member 220 is made of a metal, such as that ofvehicle floor 16 or reinforcement member 200, or any other suitablemetal or material. In this example, the accessory attachment member 220has a width W3 extending in a lateral direction of the vehicle 10, andthe reinforcement member 200 has a width W4 extending in the lateraldirection that is greater than the width W3 as shown, for example, inFIG. 5. Furthermore, the reinforcement member 200 has a length L3extending in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle 10, and the accessoryattachment member 220 has a length L4 extending in the lengthwisedirection that is greater than the length L3.

As discussed above, the vehicle floor 16 further includes at least onesupport member 40 having a length extending in a lateral direction ofthe vehicle 12. However, in this example, the accessory attachmentmember 220 at the rear passenger side of the vehicle 10 does not extendover the support member 40 and is thus not structurally supported by thesupport members 40 or 41. Accordingly, the length L3 of thereinforcement member 200 is longer than the length L5 of the wheel wellopening 202 extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, asshown in FIGS. 5, 20 and 21. Also, the accessory attachment member 220has a C-shaped cross-section forming a recess channel 221 in thisexample, but can have any desired cross-section.

In this example, a plurality of mounting structures 222 are spaced alongthe reinforcement member 200 and extend through the vehicle floor 16 tocouple the accessory attachment member 220 to the reinforcement member200. At least one of the mounting structures 222 includes a weldedmember 224 that is attached by a weld to a surface 226 of thereinforcement member 200 facing away from the vehicle floor 16, andaligned with a fastening aperture 228 formed in the reinforcement member200 through which a portion 230 of the at least one of the mountingstructures 222 passes. In this example, the portion 230 can include ascrew that threadedly engages with the welded member 224. Alternatively,the portion 230 can include rivets or any other suitable fasteners.Furthermore, a spacer 231 can be present between the bottom surface 233of the accessory attachment member 220 and interior floor surface 20 asindicated to position the accessory attachment member 220 at theappropriate height above the interior floor surface 20. The portion 230of the mounting structure 222 passes through an opening 234 in thespacer 231. The spacer 231 can be arranged as individual spacers presentat each of the mounting structure locations, or a continuous spacer thatextends along all or a portion of the accessory attachment member 220and has openings through which the respective portions 230 of themounting structure 222 can pass.

Since the accessory attachment member 220 has a C-shaped cross sectionin this example, the accessory attachment member 220 has a horizontallyextending portion 232 that extends in a horizontal direction of thevehicle 10, and at least one vertical portion 235 that extendstransverse to the horizontally extending portion 232. The plurality ofmounting structures 222 couple the horizontally extending portion 232 ofthe accessory attachment member 220 to the reinforcement member 200. Thevertical portions 235 extend in a vertical direction of the vehicle 10when the accessory attachment member 220 is mounted to the interiorfloor surface 20. The accessory attachment member 220 further has secondhorizontally extending portions 236 that extend in a horizontaldirection of the vehicle 10 from the vertical portions 234, and thevertical portions 234 space the second horizontally extending portions236 apart from the horizontally extending portion 232 as shown.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 24, for example, the accessoryattachment member 220 is further configured to couple to a shelvingmember 240 to secure the shelving member 240 inside the vehicle 10. Theshelving member 240 can be made of metal or any other suitable material.As shown in FIG. 24, a connecting member 242 includes a coupling member244 that rests on the horizontally extending portion 232 of theaccessory attachment member 220, is slidably received in the openingformed by the C-shaped cross section of the accessory attachment member220, and is retained by the second horizontally extending portions 236.An extension portion 246 of the coupling member 244 passes through anopening 248 in the shelving member 240. A washer 250, and nut 252 thatis threadedly secured to the extension portion 246, secures the shelvingmember 240 to the accessory attachment member 220 in this example.However, any suitable type of connector, such as a screw, snap fitconnection, and so on can be used to secure the shelving member 240 tothe accessory attachment member 220.

The portion of the reinforced vehicle structure 12 at the rear passengerside of the vehicle 10 includes a third vehicle wall 260 having an outerwall surface 262 facing an outboard direction of the vehicle 10 and aninner wall surface 264 facing an inboard direction of the vehicle 10.The third vehicle wall 260 is made of a metal typically used inautomotive manufacture or any other suitable material. A reinforcementmember 266 is mounted to the outer wall surface 242 by welding,riveting, screws, or any other suitable fasteners. The reinforcementmember 266 is also made of a metal that can be the same as the metal ofthird vehicle wall 260, or any other suitable metal or material. In thisexample, the reinforcement member 266 has a length substantially equalto that of the third vehicle wall 260 extending in a longitudinaldirection of the vehicle 10.

A portion of the outer wall surface 242 of the third vehicle wall 260has a first shape and the reinforcement member 266 has a second shapesubstantially corresponding to the first shape to enable thereinforcement member 266 to mate with the portion of the outer wallsurface 262 when the reinforcement member 266 is mounted to the outerwall surface 262. In this example, the third vehicle wall 260 includes awall upright portion 268 that includes the inner and outer wall surfaces264 and 262, respectively, and a wall lateral portion 270 extendingoutboard from the upright portion 268. Furthermore, the reinforcementmember 266 includes a reinforcement upright portion 272 and areinforcement lateral portion 274 extending outboard from thereinforcement upright portion 272. The reinforcement upright portion 272and reinforcement lateral portion 274 are positioned proximate to thewall upright portion 268 and wall lateral portion 270, respectively,when the reinforcement member 276 is mounted to the outer wall surface262 of the third vehicle wall 260. Also, the reinforcement member 266can be mounted proximate to a roof rail 276 of the vehicle 10 when thereinforcement member 266 is mounted to the outer wall surface 262.

An accessory attachment member 280 is mounted inside the cargocompartment 14 to the inner wall surface 264 at an upper portion of thethird vehicle wall 260 in this example. The accessory attachment member280 is made of a metal, such as that of third vehicle wall 260 orreinforcement member 266, or any other suitable metal or material. Inthis example, the accessory attachment member 280 has a height H3extending in a vertical direction of the vehicle 10, and thereinforcement member 276 has a height H4 extending in the verticaldirection that is greater than the height H3.

Furthermore, the accessory attachment member 280 in this example has aC-shaped cross-section forming a recess channel 281 therein. That is,the accessory attachment member 280 has a vertically extending portion282 that extends in a generally vertical direction of the vehicle 10,and at least one horizontal portion 284 that extends transverse to thevertically extending portion 282. Specifically, the horizontal portions284 extend in a generally inboard direction of the vehicle 10 when theaccessory attachment member 280 is mounted to the inner wall surface264. The accessory attachment member 280 further has second verticallyextending portions 286 that extend in a generally vertical direction ofthe vehicle 10 from the horizontal portions 284. Accordingly, thehorizontal portions 284 space the second vertically extending portions286 apart from the vertically extending portion 282.

A plurality of mounting structures 290 are spaced along thereinforcement member 266 and extend through the third vehicle wall 260to couple the accessory attachment member 280 to the reinforcementmember 266. At least one of the mounting structures 290 includes awelded member 292 that is attached by a weld to a surface 294 of thereinforcement member 266 facing away from the third vehicle wall 260.The welded member 292 is aligned with a fastening aperture 296 formed inthe reinforcement member 266 through which a portion 298 of the mountingstructure 290 passes. In this example, the portion 298 of the mountingstructure 290 can include a bolt that is threadedly secured to thewelded member 292 to secure the accessory attachment member 280 to thereinforcement member 266. However, the portion 298 of the mountingstructure 290 can include a rivet, screw or any other suitable type offastener. In this example, the plurality of mounting structures 290couple the vertically extending portion 282 of the accessory attachmentmember 280 to the reinforcement member 266.

As further illustrated, a trim member 300, such as an interior trimpanel of a type that is typically present in vehicles, is disposedproximate to the inner wall surface 264. In this example, the accessoryattachment member 280 is mounted to the inner wall surface 264 such thatthe trim member 300 that is disposed proximate to the inner wall surface264 is positioned between the accessory attachment member 280 and thethird vehicle wall 260. Furthermore, the reinforcement member 266includes at least one fastening aperture 302 that receives a portion ofa mounting member 304 of the trim member 300 that passes through anopening 306 in the third vehicle wall 260. However, the trim member 300can be secured proximate to the third vehicle wall 260 in any suitablemanner.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 24, for example, the accessoryattachment member 280 is further configured to couple to the shelvingmember 240 to further secure the shelving member 240 inside the vehicle10. A connecting member (not shown) similar to connecting member 242 asdiscussed above can be slidably received in the opening formed by theC-shaped cross section of the accessory attachment member 280, and iscoupled to the shelving member 240 in a manner similar to connectingmember 242 to secure the shelving member 240 to the accessory attachmentmember 280 in this example. However, any suitable type of connector,such as a screw, snap fit connection, and so on can be used to securethe shelving member 240 to the accessory attachment member 280.

As further shown, for example, in FIGS. 2, 3, 26, 27 and 30-33, thereinforced vehicle structure 12 can further include a fourth vehiclewall 310 extending transverse to the third vehicle wall 260. The fourthvehicle wall 310 includes a fourth outer wall surface 312 facing anexterior of the vehicle 10 and a fourth inner wall surface 314 facing aninterior of the vehicle 10. The reinforced vehicle structure 12 alsoincludes a reinforcement member 316 having a first end 318 mounted tothe accessory attachment member 280 and a second end 320 mounted to thefourth inner wall surface 314. The mounted reinforcement member 316therefore extends in a direction that is not parallel to either of thethird and fourth vehicle walls 260 and 310.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 30-33, the second end 320 of thereinforcement member 316 includes a plurality of openings 322 therein.The openings 322 align with openings 324 in the fourth vehicle wall 310.A plurality of reinforcement members 326, such as a welded member, canbe attached to the fourth outer wall surface 312 by welding or in anyother suitable manner. Each reinforcement member 326 can include anopening 328 therein that is aligned with an opening 324 in the fourthvehicle wall 310. Accordingly, a coupling structure 330, such as a bolt,can pass through each of the openings 322 in the second end 320 of thereinforcement member 316 and the openings 324 in the fourth vehicle wall310, and threadedly engage with the openings 328 in the reinforcementmember 326 to couple the second end 320 of the reinforcement member 316to the fourth inner wall surface 314 of the fourth vehicle wall 310.

With regard to the first end 318 of the reinforcement member 316, asillustrated, a coupling member 340 couples the first end 318 of thereinforcement member 316 to the accessory attachment member 280. Asdiscussed above, the accessory attachment member 280 has a C-shapedcross-section defining a recess channel 281. The coupling member 340 hasa first coupling end 342 that passes through an opening 344 in the firstend 318 of the reinforcement member 316 and a second coupling end 346that couples to the accessory attachment member 280. That is, the firstcoupling end 342 can threadedly engage with a nut 348 to secure thecoupling member 340 to the first end 318 of the reinforcement member316. The second coupling end 346 is received in the recess of theaccessory attachment member 280 to couple the first end 318 of thereinforcement member 316 to the accessory attachment member 280.

Accordingly, as can be appreciated from the above, the embodiments ofthe reinforcement vehicle structure described herein includes areinforcement member or panel configured to reinforce an area of avehicle body at a location where an extended accessory track may beinstalled on an interior surface of the vehicle. The reinforcementmember is attached to a side of a body panel that is opposite from theaccessory track and conforms or substantially conforms to the shape ofthe body panel so as to effect an increase in the thickness and rigidityof the body panel. The reinforcement member also includes attachmentpoints for the accessory track, as well as other vehicle equipment orinterior trim components, such as spaced-apart nut welds having threadedapertures accessible from the interior surface of the vehicle. Thereinforcement member may also include other threaded or non-threadedmounting apertures. The reinforcement assembly thus provides increasedstress resistance and rigidity in order to accommodate all kinds offoreseeable uses of an accessory track by customers.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. Also as used herein to describe the aboveembodiments, the following directional terms “forward”, “rearward”,“above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and “transverse”as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directionsof a vehicle equipped with the reinforced vehicle structure.Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present inventionshould be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the reinforcedvehicle structure. The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about”and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviationof the modified term such that the end result is not significantlychanged.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such features. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments ofthe present invention are provided for illustration only, and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reinforced vehicle structure comprising: afirst vehicle wall having a first outer wall surface facing an outboarddirection of a vehicle and a first inner wall surface facing an inboarddirection of the vehicle; a second vehicle wall extending transverse tothe first vehicle wall, and having a second outer wall surface facing afirst direction and a second inner wall surface facing an oppositedirection; an accessory attachment member mounted to the first innerwall surface with the accessory attachment member extending in alongitudinal direction which is transverse to the second vehicle wall;and a reinforcement member having a first end slidably retained by theaccessory attachment member and a second end mounted to the second innerwall surface with the reinforcement member spanning the first and secondvehicle walls such that the reinforcement member does not extendparallel to either of the first and second vehicle walls.
 2. Thereinforced vehicle structure according to claim 1, further comprising amounting member mounted to the second inner wall surface, with thesecond end of the reinforcement member being connected to the mountingmember and the mounting member mounting the second end of thereinforcement member to the second inner wall surface.
 3. The reinforcedvehicle structure according to claim 2, further comprising a pluralityof mounting structures spaced along the mounting member and extendingthrough the second vehicle wall to couple the mounting member to thesecond vehicle wall.
 4. The reinforced vehicle structure according toclaim 3, further comprising a coupling structure positioned between twoof the plurality of the mounting structures and extending through themounting member and the second end of the reinforcement member to couplethe second end of the reinforcement member to the mounting member. 5.The reinforced vehicle structure according to claim 2, furthercomprising a vehicle accessory having a first accessory surface and asecond accessory surface on a side opposite to the first accessorysurface, and positioned between the mounting member and thereinforcement member with the first accessory surface proximate to themounting member and the second accessory surface proximate to the secondend of the reinforcement member.
 6. The reinforced vehicle structureaccording to claim 5, further comprising a coupling structure extendingthrough the mounting member, the vehicle accessory and the second end ofthe reinforcement member to couple the second end of the reinforcementmember to the mounting member.
 7. The reinforced vehicle structureaccording to claim 1, further comprising a coupling member that slidablycouples the first end of the reinforcement member to the accessoryattachment member to enable adjustment of a position of the first end ofthe reinforcement member along the longitudinal direction of theaccessory attachment member to align an opening at the second end of thereinforcement member with an opening in a member fixedly mounted to thesecond vehicle wall.
 8. The reinforced vehicle structure according toclaim 7, wherein the accessory attachment member has a C-shapedcross-section defining a recess; and the coupling member has an end thatis received in the recess to couple the first end of the reinforcementmember to the accessory attachment member.
 9. The reinforced vehiclestructure according to claim 7, wherein the coupling member has a firstcoupling end that passes through the first end of the reinforcementmember and a second coupling end that couples to the accessoryattachment member.
 10. The reinforced vehicle structure according toclaim 9, wherein the accessory attachment member has a C-shapedcross-section defining a recess; and the second coupling end of thecoupling member is received in the recess to couple the first end of thereinforcement member to the accessory attachment member.
 11. Thereinforced vehicle structure according to claim 1, further comprising atleast one first coupling structure that extends through the second endof the reinforcement member and the second vehicle wall to couple thesecond end of the reinforcement member to the second inner wall surfaceof the second vehicle wall.
 12. The reinforced vehicle structureaccording to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of the firstcoupling structures that each extends through the reinforcement memberand the second vehicle wall to directly couple the reinforcement memberto the second inner wall surface of the second vehicle wall.
 13. Thereinforced vehicle structure according to claim 12, further comprising asecond coupling structure that couples the first end of thereinforcement member to the accessory attachment member.
 14. Thereinforced vehicle structure according to claim 13, wherein theaccessory attachment member has a C-shaped cross-section defining arecess; and the second coupling structure has an end that is received inthe recess to couple the first end of the reinforcement member to theaccessory attachment member.
 15. The reinforced vehicle structureaccording to claim 1, further comprising a third vehicle wall having athird outer wall surface facing the outboard direction and a third innerwall surface facing the inboard direction and toward the first innerwall surface; a fourth vehicle wall extending transverse to the thirdvehicle wall, and having a fourth outer wall surface facing one of thefirst and opposite directions and a fourth inner wall surface facing theother of the first and opposite directions; a second accessoryattachment member mounted to the third inner wall surface; and a secondreinforcement member having a first end mounted to the second accessoryattachment member and a second end mounted to the fourth inner wallsurface with the second reinforcement member spanning the third andfourth vehicle walls such that the second reinforcement member does notextend parallel to either of the third and fourth vehicle walls.
 16. Thereinforced vehicle structure according to claim 15, further comprising amounting member mounted to the second inner wall surface, with thesecond end of the reinforcement member being connected to the mountingmember and the mounting member mounting the second end of thereinforcement member to the second inner wall surface; and at least onefirst coupling structure that extends through the second end of thesecond reinforcement member and the fourth vehicle wall to directlycouple the second end of the second reinforcement member to the fourthinner wall surface of the fourth vehicle wall.
 17. A reinforced vehiclestructure comprising: a first vehicle wall having a first outer wallsurface facing an outboard direction of a vehicle and a first inner wallsurface facing an inboard direction of the vehicle; a second vehiclewall extending transverse to the first vehicle wall, and having a secondouter wall surface facing a first direction and a second inner wallsurface facing an opposite direction; an accessory attachment membermounted to the first inner wall surface; a reinforcement member having afirst end mounted to the accessory attachment member and a second endmounted to the second inner wall surface with the reinforcement memberspanning the first and second vehicle walls such that the reinforcementmember does not extend parallel to either of the first and secondvehicle walls; and a mounting member mounted to the second inner wallsurface, with the second end of the reinforcement member being connectedto the mounting member and the mounting member mounting the second endof the reinforcement member to the second inner wall surface, themounting member including a raised portion that extends away from thesecond inner wall surface, with the second end of the reinforcementmember being connected to the raised portion of the mounting member. 18.The reinforced vehicle structure according to claim 17, furthercomprising a plurality of mounting structures spaced along portions ofthe mounting member other than the raised portion, and extending throughthe second vehicle wall to couple the mounting member to the secondvehicle wall.
 19. The reinforced vehicle structure according to claim17, further comprising a coupling structure extending through the raisedportion of the mounting member and the second end of the reinforcementmember to couple the second end of the reinforcement member to themounting member.
 20. A reinforced vehicle structure comprising: a firstvehicle wall having a first outer wall surface facing an outboarddirection of a vehicle and a first inner wall surface facing an inboarddirection of the vehicle; a second vehicle wall extending transverse tothe first vehicle wall, and having a second outer wall surface facing afirst direction and a second inner wall surface facing an oppositedirection; an accessory attachment member mounted to the first innerwall surface; a reinforcement member having a first end mounted to theaccessory attachment member and a second end mounted to the second innerwall surface with the reinforcement member spanning the first and secondvehicle walls such that the reinforcement member does not extendparallel to either of the first and second vehicle walls; a weldedmember that is attached by a weld to the second outer wall surface, andaligned with a fastening aperture formed in the second vehicle wall; anda mounting structure that passes through the second end of thereinforcement member and the fastening aperture and engages the weldedmember to couple the second end of the reinforcement member to thesecond vehicle wall.